존댓말 Endings Reference Guide
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · How we write & review
After this page, you can look up the right polite-speech ending fast, at whatever formality level you need.
10-second answer
The short answer
This page collects the polite (존댓말, jondaemal) sentence endings covered individually across this site into one lookup chart — statements, questions, and commands, at both the everyday-polite (해요체, haeyoche) and formal (합니다체, hamnidache) levels.
Quick check — did that land?
1. What's the formal (합니다체) way to say "I go"?
가요 or 갑니다? Same idea, different level of politeness.
Statements
| Function | Polite (해요체) | Formal (합니다체) |
|---|---|---|
| Present tense verb | -아요/-어요 | -습니다/-ㅂ니다 |
| Past tense verb | -았어요/-었어요 | -았습니다/-었습니다 |
| "To be" (noun + ...) | 이에요/예요 | 입니다 |
| Future / intention | -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | -(으)ㄹ 겁니다 |
해요체 (+요 endings) is the everyday default; 합니다체 is reserved for formal, professional, or ceremonial contexts. Tap any row above to jump to its full explanation.
See also: Why Do Koreans Add 요 to Sentences?
Questions
| Level | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Polite | Same as statement + rising tone, or literal ? | 가요? — Are you going? |
| Formal | -습니까?/-ㅂ니까? | 가십니까? — Are you going? (formal) |
Commands & Requests
| Pattern | Feel | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -세요/-으세요 | Polite instruction/invitation | 앉으세요 — Please sit |
| -아/어 주세요 | A request, favor-flavored | 도와주세요 — Please help me |
| -십시오 | Very formal command | 들어오십시오 — Please come in (formal/written) |
How to Use This Page
Think of this as a map, not a first lesson — each row assumes you've already met the underlying grammar elsewhere on this site: present/past/future tense, -세요, 이에요/입니다. Come back here when you need a quick reminder of how the levels line up against each other.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Mixing 해요체 and 합니다체 within one sentence
Pick one register and stay consistent — 가요 습니다 isn't a real hybrid form.
Mistake #2 — Treating -습니까? as interchangeable with -아요/-어요?
The formal question form fits news broadcasts, military contexts, and very formal presentations — using it casually can sound stiff or oddly theatrical.
Reporting what someone said uses its own set of endings: -다고, -냐고, -자고, -라고.
Mini Quiz
2. Which pattern makes a polite REQUEST, favor-flavored?
3. What's the formal question ending?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Grammar reference done — the practical skill of actually typing what you've learned comes next.
Will you remember this tomorrow?
Save it — your daily review brings it back right before you'd forget. No account needed.